Fangrrls comics pull list for April 2017

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Welcome to another installment of Fangrrl's comics pull list! This month, I'm going to bring you all the comics you should keep an eye out for in April.

As I've mentioned, my personal interests tend towards lady writers/artists/creative team members — I'm tired of the trend of all-male creative teams writing lady characters, so you won't see any of those here. I also love diversity and inclusivity in my comics.

I tend to like reading in full story arcs rather than individual issues, so you'll see me highlighting jumping-on points: first issues, the last issue of an ongoing arc (or the last issue of a limited run) and the first issue of a story arc that you can use to jump into a new-to-you comic. If you're wondering why a comic you love isn't featured this month, that is most likely the reason. I also try not to repeat a comic multiple months in a row on Fangrrls' pull list — there are a lot of comics out there I want to show some love to!

Kate Bishop, who is the Hawkeye we all deserve to see on screen in the MCU, has set up a PI business in California, and the fifth issue of the series starts a brand new story arc. Kelly Thompson is a great match for writing Kate and the bright colors of this series (thanks to epic colorist Jordie Bellaire) are refreshing, making you want to sink into each issue.

This ongoing series is set in the universe of the TV show — and if you're not watching it, you're missing out on a bizarre but awesome teen noir/soap/I don't even know but it works. I'm constantly blown away by the racial diversity of the cast; it's not something you see very often on TV screens (though come ON Riverdale, I really hate that you've erased Jughead's ace/aro status -- that's genuinely terrible and I hope you rectify that ASAP). I'm curious about this first issue, especially with the involvement of Alitha Martinez, a very talented black comic artist.

This sci-fi comic features an alien, Loma, whose life is going nowhere in a hurry, so she decides to take over the body of Earth teenager Megan Boyer. Megan was near death when Loma found her, and it turns out that no one was really sad to see her there, as she was a terrible bully. Now, Loma must navigate the halls of Megan's high school and figure out how to make amends (while also contending with the people from her own planet that are after her). The seventh issue of this series is a stand-alone, so it's a great chance to decide if you want to try the series in one issue.

Rose #1 - Meredith Finch and Ig Guara (April 12, Image Comics)

I can't say that I loved Meredith Finch's run as co-writer (with husband David Finch) on pre-Rebirth Wonder Woman, but I'm willing to give her first creator-owned series a chance. It's a fantasy featuring a young girl who's trying to save her world by becoming a Guardian. But she must contend with a powerful sorceress and her allies who will do anything to stop this little girl from restoring balance in the world.

A comic series that bring together Black Panther, Storm, Luke Cage, Misty Knight and Manifold, with two black writers behind the scenes? We'll take it. Ta-Nehisi Coates has had amazing success as the creative brain behind Marvel's current Black Panther stories. While the first few issues of his series were uneven (great ideas, but the storytelling was uneven at times and it wasn't the entry point into the Marvel universe it needed to be for newer readers), he's doing a great job keeping this character at the forefront of readers' brains. I'm excited to see what he and co-writer Yona Harvey do with this new team-up series.

I absolutely adore this series about a high schooler named Jonesy who has the ability to make anyone around her fall in love — the only catch is her powers don't work on herself. It's a fun, adorable comic that's heartwarming and hilarious. Boyle's art is flashy, bringing a levity and sense of warmth that really makes the story work. Issue 12 is the last issue of the series, so it's the perfect time to read the entire thing in one fell swoop.

This limited-edition fantasy series features a group of young women left behind after the king and his vassals ride off to fight battles. In their absence, the women take over ruling and begin to live life on their own terms rather than those dictated by the men around them. This series is hilarious, with a diverse cast of characters who come into their own. It's a limited series, with the fourth issue being the last, which means you can read the entire thing in one go.

Reno Selleti is a jaded celebrity socialite, so when her friend invites her to an underground sex party, Reno thinks nothing of it and decides that, if nothing else, it's good for a laugh or two. But when she arrives, Reno realizes there's something very wrong: This is some sort of actual occult practice, rather than a silly party, and all of a sudden she's hallucinating, seeing weird creatures who are telling her to run. Black Mask is putting out some of the most interesting and creative comics currently being published, so this is definitely going on my list of comics to pick up.

The smartest person in the Marvel Universe is a little black girl named Lunella Lafayette who has a pet dinosaur, and I'm so here for it. Issue 18 marks the end of another story arc featuring the dynamic duo. If you aren't reading this adorable series, this is the perfect chance to catch up on Lunella's brainy adventures (a great all-ages comic, so read it with the kids!)